Léon Laleau (3 August 1892 – 7 September 1979) was a Haitian writer, politician, and diplomat. Laleau is still recognized "as one of the most brilliant writers of his time".P. Schutt-Ainé, Haiti: A Basic Reference Book, 97 He received several international awards, such as the Edgar Allan Poe Prize in 1962. He was also a member of the Ronsard Academy, the Académie Méditerranéenne (Mediterranean Academy). He was recipient of numerous honors, including The Legion of Honor rank of Grand Officer (France), Saint Grégoire (Vatican), and Palms Académique, Arts et Lettres rank of Commandeur (France).
Born in Port-au-Prince, Laleau held two degrees, one in law and another in letters and sciences. As a politician, he was appointed Foreign Minister and Minister of National Education, Agriculture, and Public Works. He served in numerous diplomatic positions, such as Chief of Diplomatic Missions in Rome, London, Paris, Santiago, and Lima and Special Mission Ambassador to Panama, Cuba, the United Nations, and UNESCO. He was a signer of the 24 July 1934 accord which ended the United States' occupation of Haiti.
Selected works
Jusqu'au Bord (1916) - novel La Danse des Vagues (1919) - novel A Voix Basse (1920) - compilation of poems La Flèche au Cœur (1926) - compilation of poems Le Rayon des Jupes (1928) - compilation of poems Abréviations (1928) - compilation of poems Musique Nègre (1931) - poem Le Choc (1932) - novel Ondes Courtes (1933) - poem La Pluie et le Beau Temps - play Le Tremplin - play
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